1A-04

Utilization of a Conventional Combine for the One-pass Harvesting of Corn Stover

M.D. Montross*, S.A. Shearer, R.M. Prewitt, C.L. Crofcheck

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department

University of Kentucky

128 Barnhart Building

Lexington, KY, 40546-0276

Phone:  (859)257-3000 x106

Fax:  (859)257-5671

E-mail:  montross@bae.uky.edu

Designing equipment for one-pass harvesting of grain and biomass is an expensive and long-term prospect.  Conventional harvesting equipment could be adjusted to increase the amount of biomass passing through the combine.  The deck plates are normally adjusted to minimize the quantity of leaves, husks, and stalks that are passed through the combine during harvest.  A John Deere 9500 combine was used during grain harvest and the deck plates adjusted on the corn head to increase the amount of material passing through the machine.  A roll of plastic was positioned underneath the straw walker of the combine and all of the material that passed through the combine was collected and sorted.  Deck plate widths of 2.5, 3.2, and 3.8 cm resulted in an average of 2.9, 2.2, and 2.2 t/ha of dry material passing through the machine, respectively.  The increased material with a deck plate width of 2.5 cm was a result of an increased amount of leaves, husks, and stalks being stripped from the plant.  The composition of each fraction collected is currently being measured.  Adjusting conventional combines may offer an opportunity for one-pass harvesting without a substantial investment in new equipment.